Chopin - Ballade No.4 (AjLongsPiano)

[ajlongspiano]

Hi everyone,

I spent a couple hours recording music this evening for college pre-screening and I recorded Chopin Ballade 4 for fun at the end of the session. I got this in one take and it's no where near finished yet. Some of you have just really wanted to hear me play it so I thought I'd post something. Don't judge too harshly haha.

- AJ

[emill]

Hello AJ,

Personally, I feel there is a "soul" in your music. Perhaps technic-wise,
there is a lot to learn, but that can be taught. You are born either with
or without a soul. I hope you land at the Eastman School.

emill

[ajlongspiano]

Hi Emill,

Thanks so much for your touching comments, it made my night. I agree that my technique really needs a ton of improvement and I'm working on it . I started piano when I was 14 so its tough... Did you know I was applying to Eastman and that it was my top choice school? haha. I hope they see that I'm super committed to this and even though I have flaws, I'm willing to do anything to overcome them. Thanks again!

Sincerely,
AJ

[emill]

Hi again!

If you make it to Eastman and I hope you do ...
(then you will meet Enzo, my son who will be a senior in piano performance)

GOOD LUCK !!!
the competition will be formidable from the Chinese and Koreans

[ajlongspiano]

Thank you! I certainly hope to meet him!

[lateromantic]

Did you know I was applying to Eastman and that it was my top choice school? haha.

LOL, when I was in high school that's where my violin teacher wanted me to go, but I decided to specialize in piano instead.  As it turned out, I ended going to a liberal-arts school, since I have a lot of strong interests outside of music.

It seems to me that you definitely have the talent and drive that a place like Eastman is looking for.  Good luck to you in that!

[rubinsteinmad]

You are so lucky that you were bron with a soul. Youre so lucky your piano teacher didn't destroy your soul. Youre lucky you don't have a piano teacher who destroys souls and eats them.

[rubinsteinmad]

the competition will be formidable from the Chinese and Koreans

Its so weird how those orientals would come all the way to America to study piano.

I mean, don't they have their own great conservatories? The Shanghai, Central Conservatory, and Korean National Art University are some of the top in the world. Maybe not as good as Eastman, but still. Also, they travel so long, from the Pacific coast of Asia, to te Atlantic Coast of the US, just for studying at some music school. Why cant they go to some European Conservatory, instead? It's much closer.

OK, End of rant


BTW @AJ Longs Piano: Did you know Lucas Debargue started at age 11?  Also, I believe that Kajeng Wong also started at a late age. So, starting at 14 isn't so bad, after all! Maybe it takes a little bit quicker progress, but that should be easy for someone as smart as you

[ajlongspiano]

Starting at 14 is bad when you want to go to conservatory at 17 haha. Thank you all for the kind comments!

[pencilart3]

BRAVOOOOOOO

[ajlongspiano]

Thanks Noah! I appreciate the support very much.

[emill]

You are so lucky that you were born with a soul. You're so lucky your piano teacher didn't destroy your soul. You're lucky you don't have a piano teacher who destroys souls and eats them.

HHmmmnnnn......  you're so lucky to be still alive!! 

The chemistry between teacher and student is so critical that sometimes it may be career-ending.
A bad situation I can imagine is changing teachers while in the conservatory. Although allowed it really causes a permanent strain and ill feelings.  There are teachers so domineering that they don't realize they are fully restricting the artistic growth of their students. I hope you have a teacher now that nurtures your growth.

[ajlongspiano]

you're so lucky to be still alive!! 

Imagine how much love and passion would be in our playing if we realized that in every moment of our everyday lives.

- AJ

[rubinsteinmad]

Imagine how much love and passion would be in our playing if we realized that in every moment of our everyday lives.

- AJ

but you don't understand..

[swagmaster420x]

You've only been playing for 3 years... ok that's seriously impressive... gj

[tinyking12345]

Nice playing!
What do you use to record???

[ajlongspiano]

Thanks so much guys! @tinyking - I use a zoom q2hd to record audio. It's pretty legit and very inexpensive. I'd totally recommend it!

- AJ

[cbreemer]

This is truly amazing if you have only been playing for 3 years. Bloody talented bastard !
It may take a while yet to get the coda up to scratch, that requires a bit more solid technique.
But some parts sound really mature. Had I been that serious about playing at your age I wonder where I'd been now...

[pianoman1233]

You are so lucky that you were bron with a soul. Youre so lucky your piano teacher didn't destroy your soul. Youre lucky you don't have a piano teacher who destroys souls and eats them.

My teacher did but souls can be fixed.

Its so weird how those orientals would come all the way to America to study piano.

I mean, don't they have their own great conservatories? The Shanghai, Central Conservatory, and Korean National Art University are some of the top in the world. Maybe not as good as Eastman, but still. Also, they travel so long, from the Pacific coast of Asia, to te Atlantic Coast of the US, just for studying at some music school. Why cant they go to some European Conservatory, instead? It's much closer.

It's much more than the music (or some else studying) why people like to do it. In the USA you can easily create contacts and will learn the language.

[ajlongspiano]

Cbreemer,

Thank you so much. That coda needs a lot of work for sure. But you know I'm attacking it head on .

[cbreemer]

Thank you so much. That coda needs a lot of work for sure. But you know I'm attacking it head on .

Oh yes, you're butting your way right in. That's the spirit

[kawai_cs]

What, you started piano at 14??
Just 3 years ago?I can't believe it you play like this after 3 years?

[pencilart3]

What, you started piano at 14??
Just 3 years ago?I can't believe it you play like this after 3 years?

I know. It makes us 9 years-ers look stupid

[kawai_cs]

Oh, Noah, you have nothing to complain about Your playing is absolutely great.

[pencilart3]

Oh, Noah, you have nothing to complain about Your playing is absolutely great.

Haha, thanks kawai cs